Big Bend news briefs

Victim identified in traffic death investigation

The pedestrian who was killed after being struck by two vehicles Tuesday night while attempting to cross North Monroe Street at Sessions Road has been identified. George Petrella, 39, died from trauma consistent with a traffic crash, according to a preliminary autopsy conducted Wednesday, said James McQuaig, public information officer for the Leon County Sheriff's Office. According to the sheriff's office, Petrella and 48-year-old Robyn Puckett were hit by a Nissan Altima heading northbound on North Monroe Street. Petrella was also hit by a Ford Explorer, which was also heading northbound. Puckett is recovering from injuries in an area hospital, said McQuaig. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Upper Wakulla River Bridge to close for two weeks

The Upper Wakulla River Bridge on Shadeville Highway will close for two weeks starting the first week of September for construction. Motorists who use the bridge will have to find an alternate route while crews with Southern Concrete replace damaged pilings and fixes the deck on the 40-year-old structure, according to Lt. Keith Blackmar, public information officer for the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office. The construction time may be altered depending on weather conditions. Barriers will be put up to prevent motorists from traveling over it during construction. Wakulla County school students impacted by the construction project will receive a letter on Monday from the district detailing temporary bus plans. Six bus routes will be impacted during September to accommodate the detour and bus times. Motorists are asked to use Highway 267, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Road and U.S. Highway 98 for alternative routes during construction. Detour signs will be posted throughout the area.

DEP names new deputy secretary for water policy

One of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's top water-quality experts has been promoted to Deputy Secretary for Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration. Drew Bartlett, who most recently served as director of the Division of Assessment and Restoration, replaces Greg Munson, who has joined the Gunster law firm. Bartlett will begin his new job Monday. Bartlett presided over the state's effort to implement comprehensive nutrient water quality standards and efforts to improve water quality of springs. In his new role, he will work with Water Management districts and oversee policy development and implementation of a variety of restoration projects, including Everglades restoration. Replacing Bartlett as director of the division will be Tom Frick, who has overseen the state's total-maximum-daily load and basin restoration plans as bureau chief of watershed restoration within the division.

Traffic shift scheduled on Centerville Road

All northbound traffic on Centerville Road will be shifted to the center northbound lane as sidewalk improvements are made. The outer northbound lane will be closed for the construction, which will occur between Betton Road and Hodges Drive, according to a press release from Allen's Excavation, Inc. The shift will begin Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will last for approximately 30 days. If you have any questions, call 879-0451.

No-swim advisory issued for Shell Point and Mashes Sands beaches

The Wakulla County Health Department has issued a no-swim advisory for Shell Point and Mashes Sands beaches due to the water quality. If you have any questions, contact the Wakulla County Health Department at 926-0410 or visit the DOH Beach Water Quality website at www.floridashealth.com/beachwater.

Fitch: Florida credit outlook now stable

One of the three major bond rating agencies has improved Florida's credit outlook, citing "stabilization" of the state's economy and "satisfactory and growing" budget reserves. Fitch Ratings maintained Florida's AAA bond rating, and revised the outlook from "negative" to "stable." The ratings agency said rising state revenue has given the state more fiscal flexibility.

Southerland to tour Renaissance Center

U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland is set to tour Tallahassee's Renaissance Community Center on Monday to discuss the fight against poverty. The two-term Republican Congressman from Panama City chairs the House Republicans' Anti-Poverty Task Force. Spokesman Matt McCullough said Southerland is interested in studying efforts to "fight poverty on the ground in North Florida" and whether the federal government can help people "get back to work and off government dependence." The Renaissance Center opened last year as a one-stop center to help connect local homeless with services from mental health counseling to job training.

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Big Bend news briefs

The pedestrian who was killed after being struck by two vehicles Tuesday night while attempting to cross North Monroe Street at Sessions Road has been identified.